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data submitted to DIRT to create a more complete picture of the current damage landscape. Case studies from CGA member organizations with high Data Quality Indexes (DQI) are shared in the Report to encourage others in the industry to improve their own data and reporting processes. A number
of recommendations for improving damage data quality are featured in the 2021 DIRT Report, as well as additional opportunities for analysis of effective damage prevention strategies currently in place that could benefit the entire industry.
“CGA’s annual DIRT Report is an essential tool for understanding the most pressing challenges in the damage prevention system, and has been critical in helping our industry identify the
best pathways forward to reducing damages to vital infrastructure,” said Sarah Magruder Lyle, president and CEO of CGA. “Underground utility damages have an estimated societal cost of $30 billion each year. With increased excavation activity and significant investment in infrastructure on the
horizon with the passage of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it is critical that the industry commit
to taking concrete actions to address the inefficiencies within our industry and reverse this trend in damages.
I encourage all damage prevention stakeholders to focus on addressing
the persistent handful of root causes identified in the DIRT Report which are driving more than 76% of all damages to the underground infrastructure that our communities rely on every day.”
“The DIRT Report is made possible each year with the contributions
of damage prevention stakeholders
who submit their damage and near miss data, and I’d like to thank these organizations for their dedication to this work,” said Andrea Stainback,
CGA Data Reporting & Evaluation Committee co-chair. “The 2021
Report makes it clear that more comprehensive, complete data is needed to further understand the intricacies
of our industry. It is important that all organizations not only submit their data to DIRT, but also look inward at your data processes to ensure you are
contributing the best data possible for the benefit of the industry.”
The complete DIRT Annual Report for 2021 is available for download at https://dirt.commongroundalliance. com. Stakeholders that are not currently contributing but interested in submitting data for the 2022 Report should visit the DIRT site at www.cga- dirt.com.
About CGA
CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 1,900 individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of
the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to North American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the preeminent source of damage prevention data
and information in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA on the web at http://www. commongroundalliance.com.
Last year almost 30% of all damages occurred because no one called.
8 • Alabama 811 2022, Issue 4